05-02-2006, 10:08 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-02-2006, 10:17 PM by Bharatvarsh.)
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->I think Aurganzeb's destruction of the Shia Kingdoms who were based on Turkish origins was a significant event in the growth of Islam. Are there any accounts of Mughal writers if the destruction was based on fears of Shia rise in India? Recall it was the same time as Safavid rise in Iran. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think so but I haven't come across them because so far I have been only concentrating on Hindu-Muslim relations druing those times but Aurangzeb hated Shias as much as Hindus, I think I remember one of his letters which has an outburst against the accursed Shias, the Shia-Sunni factor played a big role in the rivalry between the Deccani Sultanates and the Mughals, it also gave Shivaji a breathing space, Sita Ram Goel when quoting Shah Waliullah's letters says that these have been translated by a Shia into English and that in these letters he pours as much venom against Shias as he does against Hindus (specifically Marathas and Jats).
Here is a letter of Aurangzeb that might throw some light into his feelings about Shias (the Persians ofcourse were Shias):
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->LETTER II.*
Happy son, Mahammad MÅ«azzam, may God protect and save you. I came to know from the representation of a disinterested person that this year you observed the Nowroz* festival in the manner of the (present) Persians*. By Godâs grace, keep your faith firm. From whom have you adopted this heretical innovation? Evidently you have been instructed by that Arab who lays claim to the title of Saiyad,* (but) who is the cause of disgrace to some good persons (the Saiyads). Anyhow this is a festivity of the MajÅ«sis.* According to the belief of the infidel Hindus it is the coronation day of the accursed Vikramájit* and the commencement of a Hindu era. Henceforward you should not observe it and repeat such folly. (Verse) âI have advised you often; but none of you (my sons) have searched after secretsâ. I seek forgiveness from God, my Lord, for every sin that I have committed; and I turn to Him (in repentance).
http://persian.packhum.org/persian/pf?fi...03020&ct=5<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think so but I haven't come across them because so far I have been only concentrating on Hindu-Muslim relations druing those times but Aurangzeb hated Shias as much as Hindus, I think I remember one of his letters which has an outburst against the accursed Shias, the Shia-Sunni factor played a big role in the rivalry between the Deccani Sultanates and the Mughals, it also gave Shivaji a breathing space, Sita Ram Goel when quoting Shah Waliullah's letters says that these have been translated by a Shia into English and that in these letters he pours as much venom against Shias as he does against Hindus (specifically Marathas and Jats).
Here is a letter of Aurangzeb that might throw some light into his feelings about Shias (the Persians ofcourse were Shias):
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->LETTER II.*
Happy son, Mahammad MÅ«azzam, may God protect and save you. I came to know from the representation of a disinterested person that this year you observed the Nowroz* festival in the manner of the (present) Persians*. By Godâs grace, keep your faith firm. From whom have you adopted this heretical innovation? Evidently you have been instructed by that Arab who lays claim to the title of Saiyad,* (but) who is the cause of disgrace to some good persons (the Saiyads). Anyhow this is a festivity of the MajÅ«sis.* According to the belief of the infidel Hindus it is the coronation day of the accursed Vikramájit* and the commencement of a Hindu era. Henceforward you should not observe it and repeat such folly. (Verse) âI have advised you often; but none of you (my sons) have searched after secretsâ. I seek forgiveness from God, my Lord, for every sin that I have committed; and I turn to Him (in repentance).
http://persian.packhum.org/persian/pf?fi...03020&ct=5<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->